Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-01-28

Robert e. Lee took command of the forces
In Western Virginia, opposing General
Rosecrans, Hotchkiss was ordered by him
of the surrounding country. He continued
to perform general engineering duty, but
from the result of constant exposure in
Iygart's valley, was stricken down with
typhoid fever. He managed with difficulty
to reach his home at Loeb Willow, where
he lay very Ill for several weeks, and spent
the winter of 1882
Early in March, 1852. Hotchkiss by in-
vitation joined General Jackson, chen in
the Shenandoah valley, near Woodstock,
Va, and was by Jackson assigned to DUTY
as Typographical engineer Of the Valley
district, on his staff. His subsequent ca
reer under this renowned leader was an
Interesting and exciting one. Jackson's
point. Ii read: Prepare complete map
of the Valley showing every point of offence
and defence, from the Potomac to Lexing-
TONI These instructions were carried
OuU W GiiC lCUGOi, anu VIC UlilCO yOolo
following in which he was engaged :. his
important Typographical work, he gath
cred an enormous collection of maps of
Virginia. Maryland, Pennsylvania. and
other States. While engaged in the duty
devolving upon him, he perfected a sys-
tenn of
RAPID SKETCHES ON HORSEBACK.
He would hurry across long stretch of
country in the saddle, perhaps whole
days ride, and with scarcely halt would
take down the main features of the re-
gion with faithfulness and geometric
exactness that was truly remarkable. His
work was both arduous and dangerous
For days at a time he would be almost
constantly In the saddle, often IN the most
inclement weather, accommodating the enc
my's position, sketching maps of both
sides positions, supervising the destruc-
tion of bridges, and continually keeping
his commanding officer Informed Of all
kinds Of important movements. 1t was
stirring life, and one that could be much
enjoyed by an adventurous spirit, but it
was position that required very strong
constitution and no little physical cour-
age. In both of these respects Hotchkiss
was we'll equipped.
Once, on March 10, 1862, while jackson
was eneamped at Swift Run Gap of the
Blue Ridge. having fallen back before
General Banks, jackson sent Hotchkiss in
advance to burn two bridges across the
Shenandoah some miles further down the
river. He succeeded in destroying the
bridge first reached, but the Federal caval-
~ approaching by shorter route across
the mountains, reached the second one
before him. and he barely escaped capture
In the stampede of his small escort when
charged by the Federal horse. Shortly
after this event he first put into use the
system of mountain signalling afterwards
&C s-SSs saIly adopted. TIE supervising of
road repairing. and the extrication Of I'M
lucky trains from treacherous quicksands
near Port Republic, were also duties that
Came his way. On May 10, 1852, Hotch-
kiss was sent back from Jackson IS pursuit
of Milroy on hard all-night's ride OF
some so miles, to blockade by daylight the
next morning two mountain passes lead
ing from Fremonts position to Banks 8,
to prevent their junction.
At the engagements of Winchester and
Harper's Ferry he performed most
DIFFICULT AND ARDUoUs DUTIES,
and 80 and 40 mile dashes across country
were almost ev eryday occurrences with
him. He was frequently called upon to
act as the ''cloud by day and pillar of fire
by night" to the Confederate army, and
upon his judgment and wisdom the sue
cess of important movements many times
depended. His services we're also especi
ally valuable in plotting the army trains
through safe fords and passes. So active
and successful was he in those many par
ticulars, that on Sept. 20, 1862, General
Jackson strongly recommended him to the
secretary of war for promotion. He served
as staff officer at the battle of Fredericks-
burg, and during the Charlottesville
campaign furnished maps of the field of
operations to General Jackson and each
of his division commanders. He also
selected the route by which Jackson made
his famous flank movement around Hook
er's right When Jackson received his
fatal wound at Charlottesville, Major
Hotchkiss aided in removing him TO the
rear, and that night. by wide detour, in
order to avoid the Federal lines, rode to
General Lee, and Informed him of the
events of the day on the left, imparting to
him the information on which he based
his movement and attacks on the next
day. He afterwards conducted an ambu
lance with his wounded commander to q
place OF safety. In company with other
engineers, Mr.. Hotchkiss prepared a map
Of the Charlottesville campaign that has
been the basis for all the maps published
since with reference to that campaign,
including the recent ones in the Century
AS an example Of the rapid work he
sometimes had to perform, he during the
later operations of the second Cold Har-
Dor campaign, performed the very diff
cult task OF mapping In single day.
while skirmish firing was going on, the
| line, some 10 miles, from the Chickahom'
inv to the Totopotomoy and its approach
es, that was held by 6 General Lee, and de-
livering him copy of the map the night
of the same day. While In the Second
Corps. under Generals Lee and Early
down to 1865, Major Hotchkiss had furn-
| 70
different army officers.
When Sheridan attacked Early at
Waynesboro in March, 1865, Major Hotch-
kiss aided in staff duty, but anticipating